Well, both facts are true. I’m on a work trip for three months in Florida living in dorms with minimal cooking facilities, a low per diem food rate, and few friends (yet) to share my wine with. So rather than see a bottle go bad after drinking a couples of glasses on a work night, I “splurged” on the ultimate wine preservation system: quality wine in a box.

Hah, you say. Quality wine in a box–you’ve got to be kidding! But in this case, I’m not. I’m drinking a Sangiovese blend from Italy that I found at my local wine shop, Rick’s, in Alexandria, VA. While certainly not a splurge wine, this wine is tasty and its longevity once opened is remarkable. At $30 for 3 liters, this works out to $7.50/bottle, quite a deal for a pretty decent wine.

With wine in a box, the wine is contained in a plastic bag inside the box and doesn’t have contact with oxygen. As wine is dispensed, the vacuum within the bag is maintained protecting the wine from the air. This lack of oxygen preserves the wine, allowing it to stay in good condition at room temperature for extended periods after opening.

Here’s a quick wine note to accompany this Conte Ferdinando Guicciardini Red Wine from Toscana I.G.P that clocks in at 13.5% ABV and is imported by Michael R. Downey Selections. Red cherry, dried cranberry, baked strawberry, bright acidity, gray rock, potting soil, soft and approachable tannins with bright fruit on the finish. Pair with a long day at work; freshly grilled chicken, pork, or steak; or Italian food featuring tomatoes or a tomato sauce.